Rebirth of the Nomad “light and airy” ?
You might remember the Nomad Lites made my Wanderlust Gear. Wanderlust Gear was one guy, a sewing machine, and a good idea for a tent. I carried a Nomad lite for years. I think it weighed less than 2 lbs, I could set it up and take it down in less than a minute. It fit anywhere; which can really be appreciated when you are tired and it’s raining but you can’t find a spot big enough to put up your tent….But, it required trekking poles and I hated carrying trekking poles.
Well, Wanderlust Gear disappeared off the face of the Internet a long time ago. I contacted his webmaster— he hadn’t heard from him; I sent him a check for a tent and it came back. Poof, this guy was gone.
I often wondered why no one picked up his design. In fact with my new sewing machine I was thinking of pulling out my old nomad light, tweaking the design a bit and making a lighter improved one.
Looking around the Internet this morning I stumbled on to LightHeart Gear. It’s a hiker/sewer selling a tent that looks to be a lot like the Nomad light. It’s a double walled tent weighing in at 26 oz (737grams). It requires 4 stakes and two trekking poles. It comes in some crazy colors. I like colors but I think gray is the best color for a tent so people can’t see you. In standard gray it cost 235.00 The fly is attached but you can roll it up and enjoy the stars when you just want a net tent for the night.
November 20th, 20092:21 pm at
I read in some of your previous posts that you didn’t use your trekking poles even though you carried it for the thru-hike. What don’t you like about them? I like them because they take off the stress on my knees.
November 20th, 20096:51 pm at
Swinging poles around just seems like extra work. My knees don’t hurt anymore and when they did the poles didn’t help. I like my hands free so I can eat, drink, fiddle with my mp3 player/radio, look at a map etc.
November 20th, 20098:34 pm at
I will soon have tent poles available for those that don’t use trekking poles. Bikers, kayakers, as well as hikers.
Thanks for writing this entry about my tent – and yes, it was modeled after the Nomad
November 26th, 20096:41 am at
Since I like a bit more room, I have a Nomad 2-4-2, and have been able to see/try on HeartFire’s tent. It is sweet with improvements on the original Nomad. Snap one up! She’s working on a 2 person version, now.
As to trekking poles, I wouldn’t leave home without them, but I think one doesn’t need the anti-shock feature. “Four legs better than two”…plus save your knees for your old age ;^) Happy Thanksgiving